Hurricane Fly's storming form and best bets in our daily racing blog
Hurricane Fly is back on a racecourse this afternoon for the first time in almost nine months. Now eight, he's hot favourite for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, in which only four others dare to oppose him.
Just yesterday, Ruby Walsh got off Big Buck's and talked about how he would never ride another horse who could run up a sequence like his 15 wins in a row. In fact, Hurricane Fly is already up to six and it would be 10 if he hadn't got beat at Punchestown in November 2009.
There's no question about his talent but there might be a question about the wisdom of taking 4-7 about a horse who was supposed to make his seasonal reappearance two months ago. Hurricane Fly was taken out of the Morgiana in mid-November after failing to please his trainer, Willie Mullins, in a gallop and he then missed the Festival Hurdle at the end of December because Mullins felt he still wasn't ready.
The vibe has changed since then and we now hear reports of sparkling work from the reigning champion, so he may well sprint round Leopardstown like a world-beater. But in the circumstances, I'm interested by the 7-2 about Unaccompanied (2.30), who is in any case a serious contender for top honours.
A fine second in last year's Triumph, when Grandouet was third, Unaccompanied had enough speed to win a 10-furlong Listed race on the Flat the following month, when St Nicholas Abbey was among those behind her. Last time we saw her, she was taking advantage of Hurricane Fly's absence to win the Festival Hurdle, beating Thousand Stars and Oscars Well, both back in the lineup today.
I don't think she would beat Hurricane Fly at his peak but he may not be there today, whereas Unaccompanied appears to be at the top of her game.
It's a terrific card at Leopardstown and essential viewing for anyone interested in having a bet at the Festival in March. Blackstairmountain (1.25) should give Mullins and Walsh at least one winner in the Arkle, for which he is 13-8. Notus De La Tour is a rare British runner in the race.
Later, Mullins fields two of his unbeaten novice hurdlers against each other in the 3.05pm race, which seems sure to have a major bearing on the novice races at Cheltenham. The pair are second and third in betting on the Neptune.
The best bet in Britain may be Al Shababiya (2.55), an 8-1 shot for the staying handicap hurdle at Ffos Las. Alison Thorpe's runner appreciated the step up to this trip when winning here recently and the 7lb extra may not stop her.
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results. And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jan/29/talking-horses-hurricane-fly
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